Miller's Return Won't Be Easy

July 22, 1985|The Morning Call

When he announced his intention to resign earlier this month, we commented: "It will be difficult - perhaps impossible - to find a person of David A. Stockman's standing to head the Office of Management and Budget. He won the admiration, if not always the concurrence, of legislators and economists alike." We described him as "a realistic no-man."

President Reagan has announced as Stockman's successor James C. Miller 3rd, chairman of the Federal Trade Commission. If the nomination is ratified, as expected, the president will have a conservative free-marketeer on his staff at a time when conservative, deregulatory economic policies are more acceptable than they were five or six years ago.

Miller is described as tenacious but lower-key than Stockman. He recognized he faces an "enormous challenge" when he said: "As you know, I have worked with David Stockman in the past, and have great respect for him. He's a difficult act to follow, but I plan to do my darnedest. In a way, I view OMB as my home and, if confirmed, I'm looking forward to going back."

One thing is certain: If Miller is going back home, he's doing it at an extremely difficult time and under extremely difficult circumstances.